I bought these 2 cactus last year for my grandson. I have no clue why a 12 year old boy is so taken with cactus.

They have grown lots since I purchased them and want to know if they need repotting. I think they are in 6 inch pots.

I think both of these will really grow if given more space. So I personally would repot them.

Hi Anna,
I agree with Hetty time to repot. Also the latest growth on both plants is starting to look like the plants are getting etiolated - ie. they are starting to show abnormal (elongated and often very light colored) growth related to lack of enough sunlight. So find a spot where you can give them as much bright light (direct sunlight) as possible.

I will have Austin borrow his dad's welding gloves and HE can pull them out of the pots.

A couple sheets of newspaper folded into a long strip and wrapped around the top of the cactus works great. Yes, definitely more sun.

I use BBQ tongs to handle my cactus. The newspaper works well too.

Yes, I have told my son that he needs to move them.......but I am only his mother.

Yes, BBQ tongs will work great. Maybe the GS and I can do that this weekend.

Anna, I think that's great that your 12 year old grandson already has an interest in gardening. A lot of people get their start very young. I've been trying to get my grandsons interested in plants, but so far their electronics seem to be taking precedence.

plantmanager said:Anna, I think that's great that your 12 year old grandson already has an interest in gardening. A lot of people get their start very young. I've been trying to get my grandsons interested in plants, but so far their electronics seem to be taking precedence.

Yes that is great indeed. I started growing cacti when I was ten years old (1939) -- now I have great-grandchildren who are interested!

James

I got my first 4 cactus from Emigh's hardware store in Sacramento when I was 9 or 10 years old. I paid 25 cents a piece for them. I still have 2 of them, lovingly referred to as 'The Old Man' and 'The Old Lady'.

Actually, I just have the Old Man's head. He was broken in a wind storm but I managed to root the broken piece. The original plant is still in CA and is about 6 feet tall. I have the entire Old Lady because she was simply uprooted. Also, she is only about 3 feet tall so a little more portable. They are about 60 years old now. (Oops! Just gave away my age).

Daisy

Austin's 13th birthday is Easter Sunday. Last year he saw what i called one of those "barrel cactus" at Home Depot. Didn't want to get it while he was along, so next time we were in Madison (about 2 weeks later) and they were gone. Last month I was in there and saw they had a couple, so I bought one and gave it to him early. He said "cactus are just so cool". LOL

I suppose I'll see if I have a couple of clay pots to repot them into so there is something of substance to keep them from tipping over. Maybe have to add a little more sand to my potting mix to give it a little better drainage.

Don't you hate it when that happens?

If you are going to Home Depot, get a bag of Miracle-Gro Cactus Palm and Citrus Soil and a bag of perlite. Add at least 1/3 perlite and 2/3 Cactus, Palm and Citrus Soil together for you potting medium. Find a terracotta pot that is wider than tall. Not too big - maybe give the cactus an extra inch all the way around. The problem with sand is that it packs and does not aid in drainage but may make drainage more difficult.

I think it's great your GS is into cactus. Think of all the other things he could be into. No, maybe don't think about that.

Daisy

Probably wants to get into peyote manufacture.

If he gets interested in San Pablo cactus, you are in trouble.